Jesus Christ. I've been covering racing for 15 years and I've never seen anything like this. Willie Mullins isn't just on fire - he's a bloody inferno consuming everything in his path.
Let me catch my breath here.
So I'm sitting in my living room Sunday afternoon, still processing the absolute scenes from Aintree teh day before, when my phone buzzes. It's my mate Dave from the Racing Post: "Turn on Fairyhouse NOW." I almost spilled my tea scrambling for the remote.
The £860K Victory Was Just the Appetizer
Saturday at Aintree was already legendary - Mullins bagged a cool £860,000 when Nick Rockett stormed home at 33-1 in the Grand National. I'd put a tenner on at 40-1 early doors and was kicking myself for not going bigger. Typical.
But what happened at Fairyhouse on Sunday? That's when things got properly ridiculous.
Where at Aintree he "only" managed to get four of the first five horses home (poor Willie, how will he cope?), at the Irish track he went full monopoly mode. The man literally trained the ENTIRE top five in the Grade 2 Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle.
1-2-3-4-5.
Wait... is this even legal?
Irancy took the honors at 5-1 for JP McManus with Mark Walsh aboard. Behind him? Karniquet at 4-5 under Rachael Blackmore. Then Belloccio at 12-1 with Danny Mullins (who'd just finished fifth in the National on Meetingofthewaters... because apparently one massive race weekend isn't enough for these people).
Fourth came Gaucher at 6-1 with Brian Hayes up, and rounding out the Mullins pentafecta was 33-1 shot Runcok for Munir and Souede.
I texted my editor: "Mullins just went 1-2-3-4-5 at Fairyhouse. What's next? Will he start riding the horses himself?" His response: "Wouldn't put it past him at this point."
The Liverpool Afterparty That Never Ended
The absolute scenes in Liverpool Saturday night must've been something to behold. Patrick Mullins - Willie's son who rode Nick Rockett to National glory - admitted he was still wearing Saturday's clothes for the Sunday morning flight home. Been there, mate.
"I can confirm we didn't make the 8.15pm flight out of Manchester," Patrick said, in what might be the understatement of the century. "Myself, Sara Rose (girlfriend), Brian Hayes and Rachael Blackmore stayed. We had a bite to eat and then went out for a few hours afterwards in Liverpool."
Translation: they painted the town green until the wee hours. And who could blame them?
Patrick added: "We did manage to skip one long queue into a well-known nightclub so that was one immediate benefit of winning the Grand National!"
I'm guessing Rachael and Brian weren't feeling too fresh for their Fairyhouse rides the next day. Though looking at the results, it hardly mattered.
The Emotional Side Nobody Expected
Back in 2018, I interviewed Willie after a big Cheltenham win. Cool as a cucumber. Nothing fazed him. But Saturday? The man broke down in tears on live TV talking about what it meant having his son ride the National winner.
Wife Jackie was there for the hugs as emotions overflowed. Twenty quid says there wasn't a dry eye in the Mullins household.
And let's not forget owner Stewart Andrew's heartbreaking backstory - he lost his wife Sadie to cancer, making this victory bittersweet in ways that transcend sport.
The British Trainers' Title - Round 2
After pocketing another £31,744 from his Fairyhouse five-timer (pocket change compared to the National haul), Mullins now has his sights firmly set on retaining the British Jumps Trainers' title he snatched last year.
Poor Dan Skelton. Imagine being brilliant at your job, having an outstanding season... and then this Irish juggernaut just rolls across the Irish Sea and casually takes your championship. Again.
My sources tell me Mullins is planning a full-scale invasion of British tracks over the next few weeks. I've already told my wife I won't be home much - these are historic times adn someone's gotta document them.
What's truly terrifying? This might just be the beginning.
Remember: Bet With Your Head, Not Over It
If all this racing talk has you itching to have a flutter, just remember to gamble responsibly. Set limits, only bet what you can afford to lose, and never chase losses.
Trust me on this one. Back in 2019, I got carried away during Cheltenham week and spent the next month eating beans on toast. Not my finest hour.
Check out Gamcare or Gamble Aware if you need support. And always remember - even Willie Mullins loses races... occasionally... I think?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to have a 'photofinish finish'?
A 'photo finish' occurs when two or more horses cross the finish line so closely together that it is impossible to determine the winner with the naked eye. In these cases, race officials use finish-line cameras that take images at high speed to determine the exact moment each horse’s nose crosses the line. The photo finish helps officials determine the official finish order accurately.
How do racehorses are bred and chosen for racing purposes?
Racehorses are usually bred with the specific intention of excelling on the racetrack. Breeders choose sires and mares who have proven racing pedigrees in order to produce offspring that are characterized by speed, endurance and temperament. Thoroughbreds, which are the most common breeds associated with racing in Britain, are closely tracked. Prospective racehorses often go through a selection process that includes pedigree analysis, physical conformation assessments, and performance in training before they begin their racing careers.
What are the 'Classics" in UK horseracing?
Classics refers to the five most prestigious races in UK thoroughbred racing. These are usually considered the best contests of three-year-old horses. The 2,000 Guineas (also known as the 1,000 Guineas), The Epsom Derby (also called The Epsom Oaks), and The St. Leger Stakes make up this series. This is a major achievement for any horse. Winning the Triple Crown is even more impressive.
Are there different types of horse races in the UK?
Yes, there are various types of horse races in the UK, falling primarily into the categories of Flat racing and National Hunt (or jump) racing. Flat racing does not include obstacles and is run on flat tracks from 5 feet to more than 2 miles. National Hunt racing emphasizes horse speed and jumping abilities, with races such as steeplechases containing a series obstacles. These two broad categories have variations like handicaps, conditions, and maidens. Each race has a specific entry requirement and rule.
What is the meaning of 'Going?' in horse racing
'Going' refers to the condition of the racecourse's surface on the day of a race. It is a critical factor that can affect the performance of the horses and the outcome of a race. The Going' can range between heavy, which means a very wet and slick track, and firm, meaning a hard and arid surface. There are several grades in between: soft, soft to good, soft to firm, hard. Trainers, jockeys and owners must consider 'Going’ when selecting racing equipment or strategies.
What does it mean to describe a horse as a "stayer" in racing terms
In racing, a "stayer" is a racehorse that excels over long distances. These distances usually exceed one mile and four quarters. Stayers require not only speed, but endurance as well to maintain their pace during long races. Renowned stayers compete in long distance races like the Ascot Gold Cup.
Statistics
- The Grand National at Aintree boasts a prize fund of around £1 million, making it the most valuable jump race in Europe.
- The prize money for the Epsom Derby stands at approximately £1.5 million, with the winner taking home a substantial portion of this sum.
- British racing oversees around 1,500 fixtures annually across its 59 racecourses.
- Around 14,000 thoroughbred foals are born each year in the UK with the goal of becoming top racehorses.
- In the UK, more than 14,000 people are employed directly in the horse racing industry.
- British horse racing generates over £350 million in annual tax revenues for the UK government.
External Links
How To
How to bet on the Grand National
Aintree Racecourse is the UK’s most famous steeplechase. Bets on the Grand National can be placed at any bookmaker or online betting website. Beginners may want to stick with simpler bets. These include 'win' and 'each-way,' the latter of which covers both winnings and place finishes. Be sure to check the horse's previous form, the trainers' history and the jockeys' experience before betting. Take advantage of betting offers and use an online bet calculator to understand potential payouts. You should enjoy betting, so always bet sensibly and do not bet beyond your means.
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